The Queen of Styletag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1077751764286563972018-11-22T11:20:55-05:00The Queen of Style covers the five Cs: Cocktails, Celebrity, Culture, Cosmetics, and Clothing in New York City and beyond. Discover food, fun and more for the modern woman and man. TypePadHappy Thanksgiving!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad3c1cbed200b2018-11-22T11:20:55-05:002018-11-22T11:20:55-05:00Wishing you a happy, joyful and tasty Thanksgiving. May your day be filled with fun, good conversations, and of course, food!PJ Gach

Wishing you a happy, joyful and tasty Thanksgiving. May your day be filled with fun, good conversations, and of course, food!

Cauliflower & Pumpkin Side Dishes Perfect for Thanksgiving (Friendsgiving) & All Winter Longtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad37bbe05200c2018-11-21T12:34:02-05:002018-11-21T12:34:02-05:00Vegetarians and meat eaters will love these cauliflower and pumpking side dishes. -PJ Gach Courtesy of Lynx Grills Scrambling around trying to come up with a side dish that will please everyone? Want something that showcases the trendiness and tastiness of cauliflower? Love the color of roasted pumpkin? Well, hello...PJ Gach

Vegetarians and meat eaters will love these cauliflower and pumpking side dishes.-PJ Gach

Courtesy of Lynx Grills

Scrambling around trying to come up with a side dish that will please everyone? Want something that showcases the trendiness and tastiness of cauliflower? Love the color of roasted pumpkin? Well, hello there! Executive Chef Andres fromLynx Grills has two recipes that will wow even the pickiest eaters.

Cauliflower Patties made on the on the ASADO COOKTOP Courtesy of Lynx GrillsCourtesy of Lynx Grills

Ingredients:1 head of Cauliflower2 Large Eggs¼ Cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded½ tsp Garlic, mincedSalt and Pepper, to tasteVegetable Oil SprayDirections:Preheat Asado on high for 30 minutes.Cut cauliflower into florets and cook in boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes. Mash the cauliflower and stir in cheese, eggs, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix well. Form 1-inch patties with the cauliflower mixture and spray the Asado cooking surface with vegetable oil. Cook patties for about 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Serve while hot and enjoy!

This Is How to Take the Perfect Foodie Shot for Social Mediatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad379c19c200c2018-11-13T09:30:00-05:002018-11-13T09:30:00-05:00Three-quarters of middle-aged Brits are happy to snap a photo of their meal for social media, according to research. -SWNS Digital Despite being considered a habit of younger generations, a poll of 2,000 adults has found those aged 35-55 are often uploading images of their food to Instagram or Facebook....PJ Gach

Three-quarters of middle-aged Brits are happy to snap a photo of their meal for social media, according to research.-SWNS DigitalDespite being considered a habit of younger generations, a poll of 2,000 adults has found those aged 35-55 are often uploading images of their food to Instagram or Facebook.

Overall, 48 per cent of adults are happy to post a picture of their dinner online, with Italian food considered the most photo-friendly cuisine.

It was followed by Chinese, Indian and American, with stylish Japanese sushi placing fifth.

Julie Daniels, head of Meerkat Meals atcomparethemarket.com, which commissioned the research, said: “You don’t have to scroll far before you’re hit with the culinary delights of your friend’s latest restaurant visit.

“It appears that the picture-perfect phenomenon is here to stay, with Brits going to new lengths to get the perfect shot.

“From checking out a restaurant’s interior to finding the perfect lighting and angle, it’s become a largely accepted part of dining out as Brits compete for bragging rights online.”

When it comes to creating the perfect food selfie, 70 per cent of diners said the most important factor is the restaurant’s lighting, with natural light trumping candlelight and brightly-lit settings for the ideal shareable snap.

Other key components for a selfie-sational food shot include the food’s placement, the crockery and the presentation, as well as the restaurant’s interior.

Food influencer Food Feelshas created a guide to the ultimate grub shot, saying: “It comes as no surprise that Brits are looking to create the perfect food selfie as it has become the norm to reach for our phones as soon as our meal arrives at the table.

“Creating a perfect culinary picture can take a lot of skill and practice but there are some simple tips and tricks to follow so diners can tuck into their meal while it’s still hot.”

Food Feels top ten tips on how to take the perfect foodie shot are after the jump.

Top five photo-friendly cuisines:1. Italian2. Chinese3. Indian4. American5. Japanese

1. The right lightNatural light is key, I always try and shoot food during the day for the best lighting and to bring out the right colour and texture of my subject. Try and stay away from artificial lighting and never use flash with food. A cloudy day is also perfect as direct sunlight can create harsh shadows and lighting.

2. Use props to set the sceneAdd some colour or additional elements to the table. This can be anything from a hand to add a human element, part of a menu to add some colour or even a vase and plant on the table.

3. Stand up for a bird’s-eye viewNot everyone likes to do this in a restaurant. See what options you have with different angles (just don’t stand on the chair).

4. Take a step backShooting food doesn’t necessarily need to be the one plate of food, have a look around and see if you can incorporate other dishes on the table, or even the background of the restaurant and the table and chair setting to create more of a setting.5. Perfect a firm grip

If you’re shooting with a camera, you may like to test out some shots with a tripod, especially if you’re shooting from far away, and if you’re shooting with your phone, always take a few from the same angle just to make sure there is definitely one in focus.

6. Check your backgroundTo create a mood, you may want a lot going on in the background, if you’d like to focus on just the one dish then a plain background will work best.

7. Work the anglesThe food isn’t moving anywhere so make sure you’re the one moving around and shooting different angles and options. If there are shadows to play with it’s a great opportunity to work with the lighting.

8. Snap awayTake lots of photos, it’s always better to have options.

9.Don’t afraid to be messySome of the best food shots aren’t very neat, keeping it natural and messy can sometimes work best - running egg yolk, messy cheeseboards and sliced up pancakes will always look great.

10. Find your nicheThere are thousands of ways to shoot food - find a style that works for you and own it.

How to Find Black Friday & Cyber Monday Steals, Flyers & Dealstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad39e353c200d2018-11-05T12:33:30-05:002018-11-05T12:33:30-05:00Black Friday & Cyber Monday are coming up quickly. Here's how to find the best deals and save money. -PJ Gach Some Black Friday & Cyber Monday shoppers seem psychic; they know ahead of time where all the great deals and steals are. How do they know way ahead of...PJ Gach

Black Friday & Cyber Monday are coming up quickly. Here's how to find the best deals and save money.-PJ Gach

Some Black Friday & Cyber Monday shoppers seem psychic; they know ahead of time where all the great deals and steals are. How do they know way ahead of Friday, November 23rd what the Black Friday sales deals and steals are? They're reading the Black Friday websites and suscribe to their newsletters.

I've been using the Black Friday websites for awhile now and have gotten stellar deals on electronics, clothing and more. These sites manage to acquire the Black Friday sales circulars and Black Friday ad scans, and publish them as soon as they get them. Now, you can budget ahead of time and shop smart on Black Friday.

The sites break down sales into categories: electronics, home, jewelry, kids, fashion, beauty, and well, anything you can think of. They'll also mention rebate, coupon deals and other ways to save money and shop smart. Since it's more fun to share, I'm passing the information onto you.

What I've done, and am suggesting to you, is to subscribe to these site's newsletters. The moment they get an ad scan or an ad leak, or get news on an incredible sale, they email that info to their subscribers. And yes, they've got the 411 on Cyber Monday sales too,

Don't Forget to Turn Your Clocks BACK Tonight! Daylight Savings Time Ends on Sundaytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad377a30e200c2018-11-03T18:44:45-04:002018-11-03T18:46:24-04:00Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday---So, you have to turn your clock back an hour tonight. -PJ Gach Yes, it's winter! Daylight Savings Time AKA Summer Time ends on Sunday. That means when you wake up on Sunday, you'll have an extra hour of sleep. It also means that it gets...PJ Gach

Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday---So, you have to turn your clock back an hour tonight.-PJ GachYes, it's winter! Daylight Savings Time AKA Summer Time ends on Sunday. That means when you wake up on Sunday, you'll have an extra hour of sleep. It also means that it gets darker earlier...ugh. Set your clock back before you go to sleep.

A way to remember it is you "fall back" in the winter, and then "spring forward" in the spring. There are places where Daylight Savings Time isn't observed. Countries near the equator, Asia and Africa, Argentina, Belarus, Iceland, Turkey, Morocco, Saskatechewan, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe are all not following it.

This year is the 100th year that it's being observed.

While many states in America have proposed laws so that they don't have to follow it, unless Congress changes federal law, we're stuck with it.

Sigh.

Like the clock?? I think it's nifty! Found it on Amazon, and it's only $16.99. Cute clocks decor is the only bright spot. Sigh,

Last Minute & Seriously Cute Dog Halloween Costumestag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad39d084e200d2018-10-31T13:54:38-04:002018-10-31T13:54:38-04:00These are the cutest photos of dogs in Halloween costumes! Enjoy! -PJ Gach Wag! Halloween is a time where everyone dresses up in costumes. There are people costumes, baby costumes, dog Halloween costumes, and for the really brave pet owners, cat Halloween costumes, one wonders how long it took to...PJ Gach

These are the cutest photos of dogs in Halloween costumes! Enjoy!-PJ Gach

Wag!

Halloween is a time where everyone dresses up in costumes. There are people costumes, baby costumes, dog Halloween costumes, and for the really brave pet owners, cat Halloween costumes, one wonders how long it took to put the Halloween costume on a cat, but that's another story. Over the weekend actress Olivia Munn, who's also an investor in Wag!, the dog walking app, judged dog Halloween costumes at an event in Hollwood over the weekend.

There were hundreds of dog Halloween costume entrants. The most popular Halloween costumes were: Prince, Beyonce, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Eleven from Stranger Things, the scary clown from IT, and Richard Simmons! Take a look at these super cute Halloween Costumes worn by dogs for some costume inspiration for this year or next Halloween.

Ruth Bader GinsburgPrinceBeyonceEleven from Stranger Things

Richard Simmons

IT the Clown

6 Perfect Cocktails for Halloween & Beyondtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad3bc4220200b2018-10-30T09:22:00-04:002018-10-29T21:55:55-04:00Halloween cocktails that are sophisticated and have a hint of pumpkin spice? Read on! -PJ Gach When Halloween comes around, so does a slew of specialty cocktails. While the cocktail names sound fun, in the end, the taste isn't there. They're either too sugary, too sweet--like your very first mixed...PJ Gach

Halloween cocktails that are sophisticated and have a hint of pumpkin spice? Read on!-PJ Gach

When Halloween comes around, so does a slew of specialty cocktails. While the cocktail names sound fun, in the end, the taste isn't there. They're either too sugary, too sweet--like your very first mixed drink--or look gorgeous, but taste like crap.

Not these 6 Halloween cocktails. In this collection, you'll find a pumpkin spice flavored hot toddy, which is a great cocktail to imbibe all the way to Thanksgiving and beyond. Love coffee? How about a whipped cream topped coffee cocktail...YUM!

You'll also find a sophisticated tequila Margarita, an orange tuffle cocktail that has only two ingredients, and a fall-inspired punch that you can use for Halloween or any given Saturday or Sunday brunch. Yes, there are red halloween cocktails and easy Halloween cocktails in this mix.

Read on for Halloween cocktails that you can enjoy on that spooky day, or any day of the week.

Cruzan® Dark TideIngredients: 1 part Cruzan® Black Strap Rum1 part Cruzan® Single Barrel Rum2 dashes Angostura® BittersGinger Beer Directions: Combine all but ginger beer in a shaker tin and shake for 5 seconds. Double strain into a Collins glass. Add ice, top with ginger beer. Garnish with a mint sprig and a squeeze of fresh lime.

Tip Trick: When making punch it’s all about the preparation in advance. Dave Wondrich has preached the use of making oleo sacrum in advance in mason jars and keep either refrigerated or frozen to be ready for when you want to make your punch. Citrus shrub is the combination of fresh squeezed juice and oleo sacrum which is the foundation of punch.

Turn Mac & Cheese on Its Head on National Mac & Cheese Day! 5 Amaze Mac & Cheese Recipes to Try tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad35ad546200c2018-07-13T14:12:39-04:002018-07-13T14:12:39-04:00Mac and cheese donuts, mac and cheese made with quinoa, mac and cheese pizza! -PJ Gach Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? It’s comfort food, it’s fun to eat and it’s yummy. Mac and cheese are one of those dishes that you can dress up with seafood or eat straight...PJ Gach

Mac and cheese donuts, mac and cheese made with quinoa, mac and cheese pizza! -PJ Gach

Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? It’s comfort food, it’s fun to eat and it’s yummy. Mac and cheese are one of those dishes that you can dress up with seafood or eat straight out of the pot. I won’t tell. Saturday is National Mac & Cheese Day. YAY!

To get you in the mood for some seriously cheesy fun, here are 5 amazing recipes to try out for tomorrow and all year long. Gotta check out the Mac & Cheese Donuts, organic mac and cheese and healthy,gclean eating options too.

Chreese® Sauce Mix Recipe Chreesy® CasseroleCourtesy of Edward & Sons Ingredients: 1 box of any Dairy-Free Edward & Sons Mac & Chreese 1/2 Cup of milk – dairy or non-dairy 1 small head of broccoli* (about 1 cup of flowerettes) 1/2 tsp of basil Salt, Pepper to taste Directions:While the pasta is cooking, cut broccoli into small flowerettes and steam for 2-3 minutes. (HINT: Save a dish by steaming broccoli on top of cooking pasta.) Once pasta is cooked, drain well and place back on stovetop. While reheating, mix pasta with broccoli, Chreese mix and 1/2 Cup of milk product. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes.

Microwave Mac and Cheese In a MugCourtesy of Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking Ingredients:⅓ cup (28g/1oz) pasta ¾ cup (175ml/6fl oz) water, cold 4 tablespoons milk ¼ teaspoons cornstarch (aka cornflour) 4 tablespoons cheddar cheese , grated salt and pepper Directions: In a large microwavable mug or large bowl add in the macaroni and the water. You need a large mug as the water will boil up. Microwave for roughly 3 ½ minutes. You want the pasta to be fully cooked. (timing is based on my 1200W microwave so your timing might vary) Pour off the remaining cooking water. Stir in the milk, cornstarch and shredded cheese and microwave for a final 60 seconds to create your sauce. Stir well, season with salt and pepper and enjoy. Recipe Notes: Cooking time will vary greatly depending on your microwave and the width and depth of the mug. Always keep a close eye on your mug while in the microwave so it doesn’t over flow or over cook.

Quinoa Pasta Mac and CheeseCourtesy of Pereg Ingredients: 1 package Pereg Gourmet Quinoa Curvo Rigate (8oz) 2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour (or brown rice flour) 1 teaspoon dry mustard ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 4 tablespoons butter, plus more to butter the pan 1 small onion, diced Salt 2 cups milk (2% or whole milk) ½ teaspoon black pepper 10 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (about 3½ cups) 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs 2 Tablespoons butter, melted Directions: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring 4-6 quarts of water with ½ tablespoon salt to a boil in a large stockpot. Add pasta and return to a rapid boil. Cook uncovered stirring occasionally until pasta is al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain well and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, dry mustard and nutmeg. In a large stockpot, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Then add onions and a pinch of salt and sauté until onions are translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add the flour mixture to the onions and cook for a few minutes until the fat is absorbed and you form a roux. Then add in the two cups milk and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until sauce is thick and smooth. Add in black pepper, 3 cups cheddar cheese (reserve ½ cup for the topping) and Parmesan cheese and combine. Season to taste with salt. Stir in pasta and mix until combined. Spread the pasta in a 9x9 inch casserole dish. In a separate bowl, combine Panko breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over the pasta. Bake for 15-20 minutes (uncovered) until cheese is bubbly and the top is lightly browned. Let cool 5 minutes and serve. Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Total time: 50 minutes Yield: 5 1-cup servings

Create Cocktails for Your Astrological Sign! New Book "The Mixology of Astrology" Shows You Howtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad38099e9200d2018-07-12T12:16:55-04:002018-07-12T12:16:55-04:00Astrologically-based cocktails could be the next big "thing." -PJ Gach What's your star sign? Are you a Taurus? Could be your favorite cocktail is the Pomegranate Martini...or not! Astrologer and Allure magazine contributor, Aliza Kelly Faragher's new book, "The Mixology of Astrology," matches up signs and cocktails. If you've been...PJ Gach

Astrologically-based cocktails could be the next big "thing."-PJ Gach

What's your star sign? Are you a Taurus? Could be your favorite cocktail is the Pomegranate Martini...or not! Astrologer and Allure magazine contributor, Aliza Kelly Faragher's new book, "The Mixology of Astrology," matches up signs and cocktails. If you've been checking your horoscope for the perfect day for an event, it makes sense to find the perfect cocktail for your sign.

Her book will be out on August 7, 2018--just in time for the last cocktail parties of the summer. You could hopefully work your way through half the recipes by mid-October. For a summer bash, why not serve these star-based cocktails to your friends...trawberry Mint spritzer (Aries), Pomegranate Martini (Taurus), Aperol Spritz (Gemini), Beachbum’s Own (Cancer), Coupe de Ville (Leo), Mint Julep (Virgo), Basilico (Libra), Black Widow (Scorpio), Fountain of Youth (Sagittarius), Saturn (Capricorn), Italian Mojito (Aquarius), and Blackberry Sage Tequila Smash (Pisces).

"The Mixology of Astrology" is published by Adams Media, a division of Simon & Schuster. You can pre-order it now from Amazon. There's a hardback and a Kindle version of the cocktail recipe book. Now, you can take it wherever you go.

Faragher, a practicing astrologer hosts "Starcast" live on Sanctuary's Instagram channel every Sunday at 7:30 pm ET. In addition to writing for Allure, she also writes daily horoscopes for "Sanctuary," and weekly moneyscopes for "Cheddar." Faragher also has a private practice. To learn more about her, visit her site.

How to Make Your Dog (or Cat) an Instragam Influencertag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad37ef805200d2018-07-09T09:33:00-04:002018-07-09T09:33:00-04:00Want Your Dog Photos to be a hit on social Media? Here are 5 tips. -Kris Rotonda,PetSmooch Via @lacorgi (Geordi La Corgi) Like proud parents showing off pictures of their kids, dog (and cat) owners love sharing photos and videos of their furry friends on social media. A BarkBox study...PJ Gach

Like proud parents showing off pictures of their kids, dog (and cat) owners love sharing photos and videos of their furry friends on social media.

A BarkBox study reflects this fun American obsession: Dog owners post a photo and/or comment about their dog an average of six times per week on social media. Also, the survey showed dog parents view dog photos or videos three times a week, and that 20 percent of the photos that dog owners keep in their phones are of their dog.

Besides the “awww!” factor that adorable dogs (and cats) attract, all the posting about your lovable four-legged animal can create more awareness of you and expand your social network. Via

Having a dog (or cat, or both!) gives you something in common with many people, and posting pictures of them is a way to connect while breaking free from negative, often nasty discussion of the world’s problems or politics. The dog pictures, with or without you, provide a positive reflection of you and create good engagement on social media. That can start fun conversation, friendships, and bring opportunities.

The trick, is how to take even better photos and videos of your pets that will generate more responses on social media sites.

It’s human nature to be competitive. This is no different, but in a much friendlier and positive, creative sense – ‘Look at my pup!’ It can be a challenge to photograph your dog exactly at the right time in a funny or cute moment.

Here are five ways you can take better quality pictures of your dogs (or cats) that will generate comments on social media.

Pay attention to background. Simple backgrounds, like a white sandy beach or green trees, make your dog stand out. “Whether you’re using a phone or a point-and-shoot camera, have your dog at least a dozen feet in front of the background so he’ll be more in focus than whatever’s behind him,” Rotonda says. “Pay attention to color, too: No black backgrounds for black dogs, brown backgrounds for brown dogs, and so on.”

Get creative and playful. Lots of full-body shots taken from 10 feet away can get mighty dull. “Get up close so your dog fills the entire frame,” Rotonda says. “Get even closer so you get the full effect of that long, wet nose. Photograph your dog head on, in profile, at 45-degree angles. And don’t get hung up on perfection. The best shots are often the spontaneous ones.”

Think fashion. Dressing up your dog or having them donning a hat often enhances the humor or visual appeal. “It adds personality to your dog,” Rotonda says, “if you can get them to sit still long enough.”

Be in burst mode. This means putting a phone camera on “burst” to capture as many pictures sequentially as possible. “You know how difficult it can be to keep your dog’s attention and pose them,” Rotonda says. “So just start shooting while you’re trying to get their attention. In burst mode you’re more likely to capture the moment you want.”

Zoom in. Rather than get up close to your dog’s face – they’ll quickly get distracted – Rotonda suggests a zoom from a distance to catch expressions when they’re not always aware you’re looking.

Social media is all about connecting, and really, nobody connects humans better than dogs.

Kris Rotonda is co-founder and co-CEO, along with Robert Otillar, of PetSmooch (www.pet-smooch.com), a social media network where animal lovers connect and share photos and information about their pets. He also is co-founder and co-CEO of Max and Molly Charitable Corporation (www.maxandmollycharities.com), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to both pet-related initiatives and safe-dating initiatives. Rotonda has been successful in numerous pet-centric businesses, including YouMustLoveDogsDating.com and Doggie Cooking Network. He’s been a host and planner of pet events in South Florida as well as a guest on numerous regional and national television and radio talk shows.

About Max & Molly LLC

Max & Molly LLC is a Tampa, Fla.-based company specializing in pet-centric services. The company has two mobile apps in the social media market that specialize in pets. Most recently the company launched the first-of-a-kind pet social media-only app, PetSmooch, with market niche functionalities, and this fall they will introduce a second app. The management team is led by pet entrepreneur Kris Rotonda (co-founder/CEO) and Robert Otillar (co-founder/CEO). The company has also formed a parallel 501C3 non-profit to channel its community outreach efforts

Tahini Snack Bars Are a Thing and We Reviewed Absolutely's new TahiniBarstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad358dacb200c2018-07-05T15:23:53-04:002018-07-05T15:23:53-04:00TahiniBars are gluten-free and good for you. Do they taste good? Read on to find out. -Rachel Rosenthal This weekend I got to try out Absolutely’s new TahiniBar super seed energy bar; and I have some thoughts… It’s as simple as this: If you like tahini or halvah, this bar...PJ Gach

TahiniBars are gluten-free and good for you. Do they taste good? Read on to find out.-Rachel Rosenthal

This weekend I got to try out Absolutely’s new TahiniBar super seed energy bar; and I have some thoughts…

It’s as simple as this: If you like tahini or halvah, this bar could be for you.

If you don’t fancy it, STAY AWAY!

I tried all three flavors, Vanilla, chocolate, and pistachio. The vanilla was the best out of the three for me--but that’s not saying much. The texture was quite crumbly and fell apart very easily. Its texture changed in my mouth and almost melted on my tongue. I found this to be a strange experience when trying to enjoy a snack bar! The vanilla wasn’t over powering, and I found the bar to be quite sweet.The other two flavors were mild and similarly textured. The chocolate was my least favorite, and the cocoa-halvah didn’t work for me. I would not recommend. The pistachio flavor was milder and more palatable.

I had a few friends try TahiniBars in hopes that they would have a different response and to my surprise, I got some great feedback. My vegan friend thought that although the flavor wasn’t outstanding, it may be a good crumble on top of yogurt and a good option for an alternative non-nutty flavored bar. She got used to the taste and texture after a few bites of the bar, and didn’t mind the snack, she preferred the pistachio flavor to the vanilla or chocolate.The bars are gluten-free and are only 100 calories per bar. Gluten-free snacks can be hit-or-miss; they’re either gluey or chalky om flavor or texture. This gluten-free snack is really only great for those who have celiac disease.

I don’t think after tasting these three flavors I would ever casually grab a Tahini Bar on the go or as a post Soul-Cycle refuel. For me it would be more like a zombie apocalypse has taken over NYC, and this is the last thing in my pantry type of snack.

Rachel Rosenthal is a freelance writer based in NYC. Check out her Instagram and her website!

The Patriot, Roman Candle Cocktail, Red, White & Blue Sangria + More 4th of July Cocktailstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe883301b8d131ecb1970c2018-07-04T11:25:00-04:002018-07-04T11:27:12-04:00Raise your glass to Independence Day, the Founding Fathers and equality with these easy-to-make cocktails. -PJ Gach Patriot cocktail, Waikiki Coconut Strawberry Soda, Ciroc Blue Cocktail What are you doing on the 4th of July? Heading on over to a house party, barbecue, beach or cabin in the woods? Are...PJ Gach

Raise your glass to Independence Day, the Founding Fathers and equality with these easy-to-make cocktails.-PJ GachPatriot cocktail, Waikiki Coconut Strawberry Soda, Ciroc Blue CocktailWhat are you doing on the 4th of July? Heading on over to a house party, barbecue, beach or cabin in the woods? Are you hosting a family get together on Independence Day? Whether you’re coming or going, there will be cocktails! If you’ve been looking for themed cocktails—try theFirecracker Red Manhattan, Miss Independence,or the Cruzan Caribbean Dream--a nod to Christopher Columbus, without whom, we'd be celebrating Independence Day somewhere else.

Looking for a holiday cocktail that’s low calorie and healthy? There’s the Red White and Blue Sangria and the Waikiki Coconut Strawberry Soda made with ingredients that come from Hawaii, whose statehood was granted in 1959

6 Great Gifts to Wow Dad on Father’s Daytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833022ad3530e12200c2018-06-14T13:22:46-04:002018-06-14T13:22:46-04:00Father’s Day is June 17---Don’t have a gift? Check out our Father’s Day gift guide. -Lincoln Chinnery A day to take stock and pay tribute to fathers, dads and the non-gender specific guild of fatherhood on Father’s Day. Gift giving for the father in your life has been made easier...PJ Gach

Father’s Day is June 17---Don’t have a gift? Check out our Father’s Day gift guide. -Lincoln ChinneryA day to take stock and pay tribute to fathers, dads and the non-gender specific guild of fatherhood on Father’s Day. Gift giving for the father in your life has been made easier with the invention of the internet and its reigning master, Amazon. Here’s the thing, instead of letting the 1’s and 0’s do the gift giving, how about something personal--Spending time with your father figure and shopping together. This could be done in person or over the interwebs. Below are our Father’s Day gift guide ideas for Fathers near or far.

Children and teens often feel weird drinking in front of or buying spirits for their fathers. Thankfully, you are neither. Adults buy spirits and drink with other adults all the time.If your Father figure enjoys a good glass of whiskey (or whisky) head out to a quality wine and spirits shop with them and purchase Monkey Shoulder Whisky, SRP: $33. Monkey Shoulder is a blend of three of Speyside's finest single malt whiskies. The combined efforts of Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie distilleries make this a crowd favorite.

Another favorite is Hudson Whiskey Manhattan Rye, SRP $50. Made in New York (Gardiner, NY), Hudson has a proud tradition of creating an award winning, bartender friendly family of whiskies that never disappoint. Also, taking a day trip to the distillery with your father is a great way to bond. It’s a fun time away from the stress of the big city.

Woodford Reserve’s Double Oaked, SRP $50.Whiskey loving fathers have a respect for the process and barreling of the Spirit. Purchasing a bottle of Woodford’s Double Oak will show that you know a thing or two about barreling, char and the wonderful magic that is distillation. It’s a deep amber colored, 90 proof, tasty vanilla and milk chocolate handshake that says, “Thank you for being there.”

Any of the three, will show your father that you have good taste and don’t drink like a Frat Boy or Sorority Hellcat. They are perfect in a cocktail or in a rocks glass as you the two of you chat about childhood memories or why Debbie from Accounting is the worst.

Besides the dinners and wacky ties, Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the other hero in your life. It’s a time for fathers to bask in the warmth of gratitude and respect. Some people aren’t blessed with a father figure in their lives and others lose them way too soon. If you have one, give that special person an extra long hug. Showing emotion, displays of love and appreciation are never sign of weakness. It shows how strong we are and how much we care about our fathers.

If you believe the outdated ads from Hallmark or the poorly written television commercials float around cable, dads are the hardest person to shop for. With all the choices across the interweb buying something nice for the father figure in your life is very simple.

Besides buying Spirits to salute fatherhood, another gift category is clothing. Not knowing you father’s hat size isn’t a sin, and the crew at Tenth Street Hats can point you in the right direction. This California based hatter takes a family approach to make sure each hat is crafted with a worldly touch. If your dad is a thriller with the grill(er) Tenth Street has a line of Sun Protection Hats that provide UPF50+ shielding from the Sun’s rays. From bowlers to fedoras to safari hats and beyond Tenth Street is more than capable of adding a dash of class to your dad’s wardrobe.

Whether it’s completely updating a father’s style or infusing some new life into a wardrobe that hasn’t changed since the last episode of MacMillan & Wife aired – a casual yet modern choice would be an item from the Ryan Seacrest Distinctioncollection. The clothing isn’t glitzy or flashy. The collection is peppered with solid clothes for the father with a dad bod. Enough to get them noticed but nothing that shouts ‘Mid-Life Crisis’. With well-tailored clothing in three real life categories (Everyday, Career and Special Occasion) RSD hits the mark on helping fathers look sharp without breaking the bank.

There is an old saying – “If the shoe fits buy it in every color.” A father’s style says a lot about who he is and where he’s going. If your father isn’t slowing down and still likes to dress to impress a new pair of shoes might be the perfect gift. Owen Edwards hand crafts sexy shoes that stand out in a crowd and make a bold impression. With free shipping and old-world craftsmanship – the only error you could make is not buying two pairs (and one for you). Made with full grain calf skin, accented with seamless healcaps and fine Italian leather soles – these are the shoes your mother will be happy to see your father in.

Besides the dinners and wacky ties, Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the other hero in your life. It’s a time for fathers to bask in the warmth of gratitude and respect. Some people aren’t blessed with a father figure in their lives and others lose them way too soon. If you have one, give that special person an extra long hug. Showing emotion, displays of love and appreciation are never sign of weakness. It shows how strong we are and how much we care about our fathers.

Lastly---"I gave my father $100 and said, “Buy yourself something that will make your life easier.” So, he went out and bought a present for my mother." – Rita Rudner, Rita Rudner is an American comedian, writer, actress and an American treasure.

Kicking Off Summer with Memorial Day 10 Cocktail Recipes to Try tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe88330224df35d669200b2018-05-26T18:07:12-04:002018-05-26T18:07:12-04:00Summer can't get fast enough for us! Celebrate longer days and warm nights with a cocktail made for Memorial Day and beyond. -PJ Gach Everyone is thrilled that summer and Memorial Day is finally here! Let's grab all our winter things, make a bonfire out of them and use the...PJ Gach

Summer can't get fast enough for us! Celebrate longer days and warm nights with a cocktail made for Memorial Day and beyond.-PJ Gach

Everyone is thrilled that summer and Memorial Day is finally here! Let's grab all our winter things, make a bonfire out of them and use the flames to make s'mores! Okay, only kidding (maybe), but it is thrilling to have warm weather and a three day holiday happening at the same time!

If you're having friends and family over for a weekend dinner...out under the stars...or if you're off to a friend's place, it never hurts to have a cocktail recipe or two that you can use. Who doesn't like a mixed drink? Um, no one. I've rounded up cocktails that invoke the best of summer: scented with peaches, grapefruits and oranges. If you're like me, in that you're better at imbibing cocktails than making them, FAB NEWS! In this cocktail roundup there are at least three (yass!) cocktails that are so easy to make, you could get a cat to do it. Well, probably not the cat. Cats only do what they want to do. But you get the idea.

How to Watch the Royal Wedding: TV, Streaming Sites, APPs & On Your Phonetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe88330224e03a3efc200d2018-05-16T17:11:30-04:002018-05-16T17:11:30-04:00Want to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding? Here’s how to do that. -PJ Gach It’s only a matter of days before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding occurs. If you’re living in the UK, watching the wedding is easy peasy. If you’re in the United States, you’ll...PJ Gach

Want to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding? Here’s how to do that.-PJ Gach

It’s only a matter of days before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding occurs. If you’re living in the UK, watching the wedding is easy peasy. If you’re in the United States, you’ll have to get up very early. On the Eastern Seaboard, The UK is 6 hours ahead. If you’re in California, I think it’s about 9 hours ahead of time. If you’re in Paris, it’s an hour less. This whole time and math thing is confusing!

Of course, you want to see Meghan Markle’s wedding gown. Prince Harry kiss Meghan on a balcony, and all that other good stuff! In the US, live broadcast of the ceremony starts at 7 am ET. But wait, there’s more! There are live broadcasts the you can watch on you TV or laptop. If you do streaming, there’s live broadcasts from almost every streaming site around.

Read on for information on TV and streaming sites for the Royal Wedding

ABC’s Good Morning cast are also in UK for the big day. Their wedding broadcast will go from 5 am to 10 am ET.

CNN is sending Anderson Cooper and a whole slew of people to Windsor to cover the event. Expect fashion commentary from Joe Zee. Comments from royal correspondents Max Foster, Victoria Arbiter (talk about nominative determinism!), Kate Williams, and royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith. Also along for the ride and lots of pithy coments are CNN’s Alisyn Camerota and Don Lemon.

PBS has Meredith Viera and British TV presenter Matt Baker will also be presenting the royal wedding live. The channel is also presenting a series of programs about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Click here for more info.

Fox’s Shephard Smith,Sandra Smith, and Ainsley Earhardt will kick off wedding day coverage at 6 am.

CBS has Gayle King and Kevin Frazier are co-hosting the wedding live from Windsor. That coverage kicks off at 4:30 am ET/ 1:30 PT. Publishing icon Tina Brown will join in at some time during the broadcast.

Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon via HBO

HBO is (I think) going for laughs. They’ve roped in Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon pretending to be local anchor hosts Cord Hosenbeck (Ferrell) and Tish Cattigan (Shannon)—they did the Rose Parade. This time around the show is The Royal Wedding Live with Cord and Tish!, will air on HBO starting at 7:30 a.m. EST.

BBC America will start broadcasting the wedding festivities starting at 4:15 am ET/1:15 PT. If you miss the wedding, they’re going to replay it at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT.

The major US TV networks will be live streaming the Royal Wedding from their websites. For coverage from NBC, visit the Today.com to see the event via live streaming. You can also watch the wedding live on NBC.com and ABC.com.

BritBox, which streams all sorts of TV shows from the UK, will be streaming the wedding live. It starts at 4:25 a. ET/1:25 PT, via ITV.

Sky News will be broadcasting the wedding live. This is a UK-based news network, so synchronize your watch to UK time. You can watch SKY news on your laptop, if you have Apple TV (download it) and on your Kindle or any type of tablet.

Apps

If you have an Android phone, you can download apps that are always live streaming TV from across the Globe.

MobDro like UKTVNOW, you can watch TV from across the globe. To watch the Royal Wedding, stream Sky News or BBC One.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Dog Moms!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe88330224df3272d6200b2018-05-13T10:42:59-04:002018-05-13T10:42:59-04:00Via Pinterest To all the Dog Moms, whose kids love to get their belly rubbed and say, "Woof!" instead of "I Love You," happy Mother's Day!PJ Gach

Via Pinterest

To all the Dog Moms, whose kids love to get their belly rubbed and say, "Woof!" instead of "I Love You," happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to All the Cat Moms!!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe88330224df3272c2200b2018-05-13T10:40:43-04:002018-05-13T10:40:43-04:00Via Pinterest To all the Cat Moms--the ones who has kids who say "I love you" with a purr, happy Mother's Day!PJ Gach

Via Pinterest

To all the Cat Moms--the ones who has kids who say "I love you" with a purr, happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe88330224e0395e8b200d2018-05-13T10:34:18-04:002018-05-13T10:34:18-04:00To all the moms out there: Grand Mothers, Mothers, honorary Moms, expectant Mothers...wishing you all a very happy Mother's DayPJ Gach

To all the moms out there: Grand Mothers, Mothers, honorary Moms, expectant Mothers...wishing you all a very happy Mother's Day

FREE Mother's Day Card From Yoga Outlettag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe88330224e0393b76200d2018-05-12T15:16:46-04:002018-05-12T15:16:46-04:00Mother's Day is tomorrow. Don't have a card? Don't freak! -PJ Gach Mother's Day is May 13, 2018. That's tomorrow! If you've been procrastinating. If you forgot. If something odd happened to you, like being beamed up into space by aliens, and you're now back to earth, don't freak out....PJ Gach

Mother's Day is tomorrow. Don't have a card? Don't freak!-PJ GachMother's Day is May 13, 2018. That's tomorrow! If you've been procrastinating. If you forgot. If something odd happened to you, like being beamed up into space by aliens, and you're now back to earth, don't freak out. There are gorgeous Mother's Day cards that you can download for FREE from Yoga Outlet.

Yoga Outlet is providing four downloadable Mother's Day cards that you can print, sign and then give to mom. Each card has a lovely quote from these famous authors like John O'Donohue, Deepak Chopra, and Rumi (as an aside...is there any holiday that doesn't have at least one card with a quote from Rumi??).Click here to download them all.

And yes, Yoga Outlet has some very cool Mother's Day gifts. Everything from bath and body products like Baja Zen candles, bath salt glow to jewelry to yoga wear and more.

Get Drunk with Mom: Wines for Mother’s Daytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe88330224df3192c8200b2018-05-09T13:50:01-04:002018-05-09T16:02:15-04:00A Wine like no other for a Mother like no other...Or The only time it’s okay to Wine on Mother’s Day. -Lincoln C. Chinnery Via Flickr Mother’s Day -- Or as it’s more commonly referred to as --The day before people run into the Hallmark section of Rite Aide and...PJ Gach

A Wine like no other for a Mother like no other...Or The only time it’s okay to Wine on Mother’s Day. -Lincoln C. Chinnery Via Flickr

Mother’s Day -- Or as it’s more commonly referred to as --The day before people run into the Hallmark section of Rite Aide and franticly search for a card. It’s also called, Last Minute I Heart Emoji Text Day. Stunts like that seem to be commonplace and that’s a shame. The day is about celebrating the woman who brought you into the world, the parent that wiped away tears after your first scraped knee, the person who helped you plan out the perfect Promposal.This year, no matter if you’re planning a visit or if your Mother is coming to see you- give a gift of wine will show how much you care and that you actually remembered Mother’s Day. A solid choice that won’t break your wallet and prove you have good taste. Any wine from the VIVANCO Family of wines.

Vivanco wines are created in La Rioja, Spain. A set of fertile villages somewhere between the Sierra de Cantabria and Sierra de la Demanda mountain ranges. The land, weather and the grapes combine to form a trifecta of bottled perfection that will round out any meal (and ease any tension). Just as there are many ways to say, “I Love You,” the Vivanco family of wines has a variety of bottles to give as gifts.

Read on for recipes and suggestions

If the Mother in your life imbibes on classic full-bodied Red wines, the best bet would be their Aged Wines: VIVANCO CRIANZA an award winning 2014 vintage that does not dissatisfy. Its profile will send your senses to fields of spicy red fruits with hints of smoked Star Anise. A 750ML bottle sells for 15 to 20 dollars. Another solid choice: VIVANCO RESERVA This 2011 vintage brings a gentle heat and a smooth whisper of a mouth feel that will make any oenophiliac blush with delight. An investment of 22 to 25 dollars for a 750 ml bottle will guarantee returns of gratitude and delight from Mom.

Some Mothers may prefer a White wine or even a Rosé (I said Rosé NOT Brosé! Mothers deserves the best, not 2 Buck Chuck). VIVANCO VIURA - MATURANA BLANCA - TEMPRANILLO BLANCO: It’s a mouthful, but this light young wine is a unique blend of three grapes from La Rioja. This experiment is a rousing success and brings notes of citrus, sun grown green apples and summer peaches. With a price point around 15 dollars you cannot go wrong with this one. On the Rosé side, the TEMPRANILLO- GARNACHA TINTA Y BLANCA will stir up fond memories of strawberries, roses and lush raspberries. Harvested during the second week of October, this bright pink gem of white and red grapes will delight guests and help Mom forget with you did to her favorite lamp.

Bottles of wine, bouquets of rosé, and a mailbox full of cards are okay, but if you want to nail home the personal touch, a light low APV cocktail might be the way to go. No one wants to see the beast that could be unleashed after a bottle or two of wine. The cocktail for Mother’s Day, a simple one that’s bound to please.

The White Wine Spritzer:

3 oz. White Wine (VIURA - MATURANA BLANCA - TEMPRANILLO BLANCO)

1 oz. Club Soda

A dash of orange or lemon bitters

1 Orange or Lemon twist

If you are going all out for your Mother’s friends and family…

White Sangria

750 ml (1 bottle) White Wine

1/2 cup Triple Sec

1/4 cup White Brandy

1 whole Orange thinly sliced

1 whole Lemon thinly sliced

1 whole Lime thinly sliced

5 Strawberries fresh or frozen

5 Raspberries fresh or frozen

1/2-liter sprite or ginger ale

Directions:

In a large pitcher mix together white wine, triple sec, orange slices, lemon slices, lime slices, and strawberries. Set in fridge for at least 4 – 6 hours.

Pour in sprite or ginger ale, stirring to combine.

Pour over ice to serve.

Lastly, this Mother’s Day remember all the sacrifices that were made for you. Think about the Christmas Days, the countless meals and the unconditional Love. Think of those who did not have parents to hold them in the darkest hours or even walk them to school. Turn on your heart light and let your Mother step into the spotlight.

Till we drink again.

“My mother was the one constant in my life. When I think about my mom raising me alone when she was 20, and working and paying the bills, and, you know, trying to pursue your own dreams, I think is a feat that is unmatched.”

Drinks Review: Waterloo Sparkling Water--BPA Free, Made with Non-GMO Ingredientstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe88330224e037f1db200d2018-05-09T09:44:00-04:002018-05-09T09:44:00-04:00Waterloo Sparkling Water is fresh, delish and good for you. -Janelle Bentley Austin based Waterloo Sparkling Water* has entered the already crowded sparkling water niche. What makes them different? The taste for one; sparkling water mixed with real fruits dance on your tongue. The taste is refreshing, cooling and unlike...PJ Gach

Waterloo Sparkling Water is fresh, delish and good for you.-Janelle Bentley

Austin based Waterloo Sparkling Water* has entered the already crowded sparkling water niche. What makes them different? The taste for one; sparkling water mixed with real fruits dance on your tongue. The taste is refreshing, cooling and unlike a lot of sparkling waters out there, Waterloo doesn't have that yucky mineral after taste (or linger) in your mouth after a sip.

The brand comes in seven flavors: watermelon, grapefruit, original, lemon, lime, black cherry and coconut. This drink is a zero calorie treat, no added sodium or sugars. It's wheat-free, yeast-free and vega. Sold inBPA-free 12-ounce cans, and sourced from real fruit--non-GMO, thank you, these beverages pack a lot of flavor in a can.I recently packed a couple of cans with me and headed to the beach. It was the perfect way to relax. I took slow sips of the beverage as I basked in the sun.

I loved the black cherry Waterloo Sparkling Water. It was sweet, tarty, and I could not put it down. If you like coconut water, you are going to love that sparkling water flavor. Their lemon and lime drinks are everything that you would expect; refreshing and with a tart snap. They launched in Whole Foods this past November, and they can find them everywhere, including Amazon (finally, a good use for your prime membership). You can purchase the cans separately, and a 12-pack case goes for $6. Use their online store locator to grab a tasty Waterloo Sparkling Water.

10 Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Recipes—Margaritas, Mojitos + More!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe8833017eeac74efb970d2018-05-04T16:35:00-04:002018-05-04T16:33:19-04:00When I lived in Texas, it felt like the entire state had one giant fiesta on Cinco de Mayo. Every block, every street, it seemed, threw a party. People dragged out their smokers and spent all day long getting ready for the party. Food and drink were spicy, tasty and abundant.
Throwing your own party? Going on and want to play “Stump the bartender,” here’s 10 wonderful Cinco de Mayo cocktails (even low calorie ones) for you to imbibe.
PJ Gach

When I lived in Texas, it felt like the entire state had one giant fiesta on Cinco de Mayo. Every block, every street, it seemed, threw a party. People dragged out their smokers and spent all day long getting ready for the party. Food and drink were spicy, tasty, and abundant. Throwing your own party? Here’s 10 wonderful Cinco de Mayo cocktails (even low calorie ones) for you to imbibe.

Sauza SunriseIngredients:2 parts Sauza Blue Reposado Tequila 2 parts Orange Juice 2 dashes grenadine Directions: In a glass filled with ice stir together orange juice and tequila. Pour the two dashes of grenadine down the side so that it settles to the bottom of the glass. Salud!

Mexican MargaritaIngredients:Skinnygirl Sweet n’ Tart Graperuit Margarita Handful of frozen grapes Sugar or Splenda Lime Directions:Rim a margarita glass with either sugar or Splenda and drop a few frozen grapes into the glass. Fill the rest of the glass with the Sweet ‘n’ Tart Grapefruit margarita and garnish with a lime wedge.

The Perfect Low-Calorie Wine Pairings for your Cinco de Mayo Partytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe88330224df2e79ad200b2018-04-30T09:24:00-04:002018-05-04T13:17:56-04:00Perfect Low-Calorie Wine Pairings for your Cinco de Mayo Party Strawberry slushies and wines that are low-cal? Say yes! -Dawn Allcot Cinco de Mayo is coming. But so is bathing suit season. Burritos or bikinis? Here’s the good news: You don’t have to choose. We’ve discovered some low-cal, low-sugar alcoholic...PJ Gach

Perfect Low-Calorie Wine Pairings for your Cinco de Mayo Party

Strawberry slushies and wines that are low-cal? Say yes! -Dawn AllcotCinco de Mayo is coming. But so is bathing suit season. Burritos or bikinis? Here’s the good news: You don’t have to choose.

We’ve discovered some low-cal, low-sugar alcoholic beverages to lighten up your night. Steer clear of those cheesy quesadillas, grab a protein-packed black bean burrito, and pour a glass or two of Fit Vine.

Save Your Carbs for the Food

With only 0.2g of sugar, 3g of carbs, and about 90 calories in a 5 oz. glass of the white varietals, and 95 calories and 3.4 g of carbs in the Cabernet and Pinot Noir, you can save those calories and carbs for what really matters: A few bites of loaded nachos.

The folks at FitVine were kind enough to send us several bottles of their new wines for us to taste and share our thoughts.

Our first impression? The cab and chardonnay would be a great match for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. You can even blend the cabernet into a low-sugar strawberry wine slushie that will make you forget the word “margarita.” And no hangover, either. Chardonnay That Makes You Forget You Don’t Like Chardonnay

Let’s start with the chardonnay, which we could picture drinking for virtually any occasion. Or no occasion at all.

Full disclosure: I drank about ¾ of the bottle in one night “researching” this review. The wine goes down that smooth. And I woke up without a hangover.

The next day, I folded and put away four loads of laundry, cleaned most of the house, and helped my daughter finish a school project that involved hot glue. I also sent out seven pitches and made a dent in an article I'd been working on. I’m not calling this an “energy wine” or anything. But I felt great.

FitVine Chardonnay doesn’t taste creamy like most chardonnays. It is light and flavorful like a Pinot Grigio, but with a bit more body. It holds its own with a heavy meal – burgers, salmon, or Mexican fare. Or is great as a relaxing after-dinner wine.

Introducing a Refreshing and Versatile Cabernet

I am a red wine drinker. There is just something luxurious and relaxing about sipping a Pinot Noir by the fireplace (or firepit, depending on the season). I’ve tasted some phenomenal red blends this year. But I’ve steered clear of cabernet for a while, simply because I’ve expanded my palette and there is so much more to experience.

FitVine Cabernet reminds me why I used to love Cab so much. The strong grape flavor, the body, the way they pair with a great steak, and that feeling they leave in your mouth afterwards that doesn't come with any other red wine.

I’d happily serve up this selection for Cinco de Mayo as it goes great with powerful and spicy Mexican foods.

And the strawberry slushie is the perfect drink to continue the after-dinner party. Again, did I mention no hangover? Made with fresh strawberries, this beverage is as close as you can get to healthy in an alcohol-infused drink.

Cinco de Mayo seems to kick off the “summer party season.” I can’t wait to get my backyard cleaned up and barbecue uncovered to start entertaining. Fit Wines selections will be a mainstay at all my parties.

What do you have planned for May 5? Let us know in the comments!

Americans are Getting Bored with Valentine's Daytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe883301bb09f1cea7970d2018-02-09T13:54:51-05:002018-02-09T13:54:51-05:00Almost half of Americans say they can even predict the gift their partner will get them for Valentine’s Day. -Zoya Gervis, SWNS Digital One in four couples say their Valentines Day rituals have become boring, according to new research. The study by Groupon found 80 percent of couples will still...PJ Gach

Almost half of Americans say they can even predict the gift their partner will get them for Valentine’s Day. -Zoya Gervis, SWNS Digital

One in four couples say their Valentines Day rituals have become boring, according to new research.

The study by Groupon found 80 percent of couples will still be celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, but the majority (53 percent) feels they do the same exact thing year after year.

Almost half of Americans say they can even predict the gift their partner will get them for Valentine’s Day, which is probably why 26 percent of respondents find their traditions dull.

What’s the fix? According to a new Groupon survey of 2,000 Americans in relationships, nearly 80 percent of respondents said that sharing an experience with their partner after dinner is the key to having the perfect Valentine’s Day.

In addition, 80 percent of those surveyed revealed that they’d love to receive an experience as a gift on Valentine’s Day––viewing it as something they could share with their partner.

The top experiences that survey participants said they’d like to try included: attending a concert, getting locked in an escape room, touring a cultural attraction and taking a cooking class.

To help you change it up this year, Groupon is teaming up with actress and company spokesperson Tiffany Haddish––who recently starred in Groupon’s Super Bowl commercial––for a new Valentine’s Day ad titled “Date Night” offering some important February 14 advice.

“Valentine’s Day is coming up fellas, so I’m going to give y’all some advice. Ladies don’t want the same old thing. We want our men to get creative. Let’s do an exotic trip for two somewhere; let’s get a couple’s massage; let’s get locked in an escape room; let’s get weird,” says Haddish in the new Groupon spot. “And with the money you save, you can still get her those same flowers!”

The research showed that men do in fact need to up their game when it comes to Valentine’s Day. More than a third of women said that they’ve never been surprised for a day out and more than half (56 percent) have never had their partner prepare a romantic picnic for them. When asked about being swept away for a weekend getaway, almost half of women said they’ve never had this experience.

Despite Valentine’s Day seeming more like Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day for some couples, the research shows people are actually excited for the holiday. Eight out of 10 people don’t dread February 14.

In fact, many are hopeful for an intimate evening–seven out of 10 participants said they expected to get some action with their partner after a successful Valentine’s Day date night.

Groupon and Tiffany have put together a number of ideas to help you and your partner change it up this Valentine’s Day with unbeatable date night activities and experiences, massage and spa packages and restaurant offers. To view the full collection, please visit https://www.groupon.com/occasion/tiffany-haddish.

Go Glamping at Governors Island This Summertag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e554e5d8fe883301b8d2d858cf970c2018-02-08T09:15:00-05:002018-03-29T14:09:59-04:00Want to get back to nature, but do it in an upscale manner? Go glamping minutes from Manhattan. -PJ Gach courtesy of Collective Retreats. Glamping, the idea of camping outdoors in luxury is a trend that will not die. Glamping is nothing like the camping trips the Girl Scouts organized....PJ Gach

Want to get back to nature, but do it in an upscale manner? Go glamping minutes from Manhattan.-PJ Gach

courtesy of Collective Retreats.

Glamping, the idea of camping outdoors in luxury is a trend that will not die. Glamping is nothing like the camping trips the Girl Scouts organized. No, glamping has luxury accomodations, luxury food and probably, luxury bugs.

This summer, you can get back to nature, but with all the mod cons on New York City's Governors Island this summer. The island is only 800 yards from downtown Manhattan--albeit surrounded by water, as it's in the middle of New York Harbor. Starting this May, Collective Retreats will be turning six acres of the 172 acre island, into a glamping retreat.

What will Collective Governors Island offer? There will be Three Peaks Lodge, premium bell tents with shared bathrooms, and luxury tents that have bathrooms en suite (attached). Let's talk about serious stuff, like food. If you've got the luxury tent, breakfast and S'mores are included. Everyone else, you have to pay for every meal. All food is locally sourced, which means it will be very fresh. It's all Farm to Table fare. courtesy of Collective Retreats.

The above photo is the interior of one of their luxury tents. Me, I want to live in all year round, it's pretty nifty. So nifty, it has electricity. I've gone camping, we were lucky if we remembered batteries. They even have board games and books. Which is really important if it's raining, and you're tired of your company. A book and a cup of coffee can do wonders to a grumpy outlook.

Prices? You want prices? Here ya go. Premium Bell tents start at $150 a night. Luxury tents are $500 per night, double occupancy. You can check out what comes with the rooms here. If you're looking for more glamping ideas and places to go around the world, read Unique Airbnb Glamping Experiences.

They're also planning events specifically for attendees of their glamping retreat. And, yes, they do have a concierge service.

Words fail.

Would you go glamping? Have you gone glamping? Would love to know your experience.